It’s not as uncommon as you think it is. We aren’t sure if someone sees a piece in the store and then remembers they have the same and decide to consign, or if pieces somehow just find their way to each other, but we sometimes get the same pieces in from different consignors at the same time. So is the case with the L.L. Bean Norwegian sweater.  Both made in Norway, of the same fabric content, but with a distance of 30 years separating their creation. 

(photo courtesy of www.llbean.com)

 

The first appearance of L.L. Bean's “Norwegian Sweater” was in 1965. Inspired by the heavyweight sweaters “used by Norwegian fishermen who require unusual durability and warmth,” the sweaters developed an instantaneous following. It’s likely from dating the tag in the older sweater we have that it’s from the first couple years of the company making the sweater in the 1960s. 

(quote courtesy of llbean.com; screenshot taken from vintagefashionguild.org)

 

Fast forward 30 years, and the company was still making the same design, in the same country, with the same materials. Fast forward another 30 years, and here they end up, side by side. One sweater, almost 60 years old, and one almost 30 years old. Both still in great condition, considering their age.

So how does a sweater that stayed “instyle” for over 60 years relate to the cycle of fashion? In short, it doesn’t. But that’s what we love about it. We at Boro aren’t trying to stay up to date on trends, but rather curate a variety of well-made, well-loved goods, regardless of if they're last week's trend. Here, we have the unique pleasure of extending and preserving these pieces' lives, by finding someone who will love and wear them for another 30 or 60 years.